Commercial Pilots Salary in U.S. (2024)
Commercial Pilots in U.S. make a median of $122,670 a year. Entry-level workers start around $59K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.)
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $123K get you in U.S.?
About commercial pilots
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level commercial pilots (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $123K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
Commercial Pilots pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $227K | +85% | 360 |
| New York | $173K | +41% | 1,070 |
| Texas | $163K | +33% | 5,030 |
| Delaware | $156K | +27% | 100 |
| Georgia | $139K | +14% | 920 |
| Massachusetts | $137K | +12% | 300 |
| Maine | $135K | +10% | 110 |
| Nevada | $132K | +8% | 1,590 |
| Michigan | $131K | +6% | 1,400 |
| Florida | $131K | +6% | 6,100 |
| Maryland | $131K | +6% | 400 |
| Pennsylvania | $130K | +6% | 740 |
| North Carolina | $127K | +3% | 1,470 |
| Wyoming | $127K | +3% | 150 |
| Missouri | $124K | +1% | 810 |
Track commercial pilots salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do commercial pilots make in U.S.?
The median is $122,670 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $123K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,883/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 17.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a commercial pilots salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median commercial pilots salary is worth about $122,670 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do commercial pilots get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.